Squash gnocchi

Method

• step 1

  Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Tip the squash into a roasting tray. Toss with the garlic, thyme and olive oil, then season. Cover the dish with foil and roast for 40 mins until soft. Leave to cool slightly.

• step 2

  When the squash is cool enough to handle, remove the flesh and use a spatula to force it through a fine sieve. Tip into a clean pan, then gently cook for 30-40 mins until reduced to a dense mass that comes away from the sides of the pan. Leave to cool.

• step 3

  You will have around 175g once cooked down. Tip purée into a bowl, then season with the nutmeg, salt and pepper. Mix in the egg, flour and 65g of the parmesan. You should have a soft pliable dough so, if it’s too wet, add more flour until it’s the right consistency.

• step 4

  Take a third of the dough and, on a floured surface, roll into a long strip about the thickness of your thumb. Cut the strip into little pillows about 3cm long, then press each one gently with the back of a fork. repeat with the remaining dough.

• step 5

  Bring a large pan of water to the boil, then drop in the gnocchi in batches. Cook until they float, then give them a minute more before scooping out and putting them in a bowl of iced water. When they’re all cooked, drain well.

• step 6

  To serve, heat a grill to high. Melt the butter in a large pan until sizzling, then throw in the chilli and sage – sizzle for a minute before throwing in the gnocchi and tossing through. tip into a heatproof dish, scatter with parmesan, flash under the grill until browned, then serve immediately.